Category Archives: Community Notes

Donor Will Match $25,000 for Calculus Project in March!

The Calculus Project at Newton’s middle and high schools is closing the achievement gap in higher-level mathematics. Newton Schools Foundation is honored for the third consecutive year to have a very generous donor who will match up to $25,000 in contributions from the community to the Calculus Project during the month of March.

The Calculus Project has been transformational for Newton students. Since the program’s 2013 launch, enrollment growth in higher-level mathematics among traditionally underrepresented student groups has been significant:
• Hispanic student enrollment has increased 70 percent.
• African-American student enrollment has tripled.
• Low-income student enrollment has increased nine-fold!

Additionally, the enrollment rate of Calculus Project 9th graders in honors math exceeds that of total Newton Public Schools 9th graders, and is nearly twice the rate of 9th graders who were eligible for The Calculus Project but did not participate.

Here’s how the program works: Students selected to participate in the Calculus Project attend intensive small-group summer classes to preview upcoming curriculum, boost their math skills, foster attitudes that support academic risk-taking and perseverance, and cultivate relationships among peers in the program.

The 2018 summer program includes Continue reading →

Psychological First Aid training

Free Psychological First Aid training. Psychological First Aid has long been established as the gold standard of disaster responses. Created by a global team of experts, it is the only intervention endorsed by both the World Health Organization & the U.S. government for use in the aftermath of traumatic events.

The goal of this comprehensive two-day training is to prepare participants to deliver basic behavioral health disaster response skills following large-scale disasters or critical incidents, such as homicides, suicides, accidental deaths, & similarly distressing events.

This program is free & open to all. Nursing CEUs available. Registration is required. To sign up, go to region4bvolunteer.org and register as ‘guest’. For more information, view this flyer.

March 13th and 14th, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
345 Walnut Street, Newton

Newton Power Choice Program

The City of Newton is developing a plan for a new electricity program called Newton Power Choice, which will provide an opportunity for Newton to significantly increase the amount of renewable energy in the community’s electricity supply. Newton Power Choice is a form of group purchasing known as an electricity aggregation.

Newton Power Choice will provide:

  • Greener electricity
  • Price stability
  • Consumer protections
  • New electricity choices

As a program participant, you will have greater control over the environmental characteristics and price of your electricity supply. You will receive a standard amount of renewable electricity automatically, above the minimum amount required by state law, without choosing any of the options. (The standard amount is still to be determined.) Continue reading →

Newton Area Flag Football League registration is open

Newton Area Flag Football League (NAFFL) is a new youth sports league offered during the spring season. All games are coached, refereed and scored. Registration guarantees each player 8 games, including playoffs. Divisions are available for kids ages 5 – 12. More information can be found on the website and on the attached flyer.

As Newton parents and community members, the founders believe NAFFL offers:

  • a safe environment and sport
  • respect for rules
  • fun while still being competitive
  • boosts confidence and perseverance
  • builds community
  • weekly exercise
  • an understanding of the importance of playing/working together as a team – good sportsmanship

The season begins May 6th at Daly Field on Nonantum Road. Games take less than one hour and are held on Sunday afternoons between 2:00 and 7:00 pm.

Newton Community Education Spring Classes

Sign up now for the spring SAT College Prep classes:

SAT Math Review – 5 Mondays, March 19th – April 23rd, 6:30-8:30 pm at Newton North
SAT Verbal Review – 5 Wednesdays, March 21st – April 25th, 6:30-8:30 pm at Newton North
SAT 2 Chemistry Review – 4 Tuesdays, May 1st – 22nd, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Newton North
SAT 2 Biology Review – 4 Wednesdays, May 2nd – 23rd, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Newton South

NCE is also offering the following college related programs for parents:

De-Stress the College Funding Process – April 10th, 7:30 – 9:00 pm at Newton South
You Can Afford College If… – April 25th at Newton South, 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
Navigating the Student-Athlete College Search and Recruiting Process – (2 session program)  May 1st & 3rd, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Newton North. Parents and students welcome.

For more information about these programs, or to register, visit newtoncommunityed.org or call 617-559-6999.

Leadership and Public Speaking Workshop

Lumos is running a 2-day Debate Workshop during April Vacation Break. Your child will study public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership with experienced instructors.

The class is lots of fun and very active – a good class even for shy or quiet kids. The class is open to students Grades 6-9. For more information call 617-901-4564. Register at: camp.lumosdebate.com/workshop/

Live in Auburndale?

Save the date! Spread the word!

PorchFest is coming to Newton. On June 2nd, Auburndale (for now*) is throwing open its porches (driveways and yards) for an afternoon of FREE music between noon and 4:00 pm.

Information about the event, sign-ups for porch owners to host (Auburndale only!), and musicians (all sorts, any variety, from anywhere and everywhere) to play on porches, is now available at https://newton.porchfest.info/. Deadline for sign-ups is April 1st.

*the Newton PorchFest Steering Committee hopes to make PorchFest an annual citywide event beginning next year.

Children’s theatre

Newton Youth Players is a children’s theatre company at the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall, for elementary school children who love to sing, dance, act, and construct scenery. Each summer, fall, winter and spring season they produce adaptations of popular Broadway musicals that the whole family will enjoy. Registration and information at www.newtonyouthplayers.com

There are just two spaces left for “Bye Bye, Birdie” Mondays, March 19th – June 11th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm. The popular musical comedy that tells the story of a rock ‘n roll singer and the fans who love him. The memorable score includes The Telephone Hour, Put On a Happy Face, and Kids.

There is still a chance to sign up for “Hello Dolly” on Wednesdays, September 5th – December 5th, 2018. With rehearsals from 4:00 – 5:30pm. An all-time Broadway favorite, this show is the story of matchmaker Dolly Levi and her wooing of grumpy Horace Vandergelder. The setting is turn-of-the-century New York City, with its shops, famous restaurants, and plenty of young New Yorkers enjoying the scene. Popular musical numbers include Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Before the Parade Passes By, It Only Takes a Moment, and Hello Dolly.

Registration is now open for all casts of “South Pacific”, January 2nd – March 20th, 2019. Set in the South Pacific during World War II, sailors and nurses pass the time while they wait to be shipped out. This classic American musical tells the story of Nellie Forbush, Emile de Becque, Joe Cable and Liat as they sort out their cultural differences. Comic relief is provided by zany Luther Billis and Bloody Mary, two island eccentrics. Popular songs include Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair, Younger than Springtime, and Happy Talk.

Zervas Online Auction

Grab a great deal at the Zervas Online Auction!

Need a night out? Bid on a gift card to Grill 23, The Beehive or the Cambridge Brewing Company.

Want to fulfill your goal to exercise more in 2018? Scoop up some classes at Barry’s Boot Camp, Pure Barre or Soul Cycle.

How about a summer camp for the kids? Check out the offerings for LINX camps, Camp Chickami or Dexter Southfield summer camps, among many others.

Grab a great deal, and support your local Newton Zervas Elementary School! Opening March 5th and running through March 12th, check out the amazing offerings at www.biddingforgood.com/zervas.

Best viewed on desktop, laptop or tablet but if viewing on a phone, click on “View standard version of site” on the bottom for a more user-friendly browsing experience and fun pics!

Underwood Spring Online Auction

The Underwood Elementary School PTO is holding a HUGE auction fundraiser with fantastic items donated by many local organizations. You’ll find auction items from restaurants, retailers, gyms, spas and salons, hotels, classes, activity providers, museums, theaters, and much more! There’s something for all ages, interests and budget.

BID HERE!

April 4th, 8:00 am – April 9th, 9:00 pm
Auction Link: https://www.biddingforgood.com/underwood